Jigra, starring Alia Bhatt and Vedang Raina as a sibling duo, dives into the high-stakes world of a jailbreak, all under the stylish direction of Vasan Bala. Here’s our review!
Indian audiences have come to expect unique twists in thriller cinema, especially with names like Vasan Bala at the helm. Yet, in Jigra, this promise of a nail-biting journey finds itself caught between a few solid moments and a narrative that struggles to keep the thrill alive. This prison break tale brings us Satya (Alia Bhatt), a resolute sister who dives into a treacherous mission to free her wrongly accused brother Ankur (Vedang Raina) from a death sentence in the foreboding Hanshi Dao—a fictional Southeast Asian island with its own brutal justice system. With three months on the clock and few options, Satya’s desperation is palpable. Her resilience is admirable, though the narrative leaves us wanting more.
Alia Bhatt captures the action and emotion in Satya’s character with intensity, blending stunts with subtle expressions of anger, fear, and unyielding hope. Her sibling bond with Vedang Raina is touching, though, given the premise, it feels a little under-explored. Their moments together hint at a genuine sibling combo that could’ve added more depth had they been explored further. Unfortunately, as the story pivots more toward flashy action than a cohesive emotional arc, much of what could have been a powerful narrative fades into predictability.
Vasan Bala's direction attempts to fill these gaps with nostalgia-laden Easter eggs—a sprinkle of 90s Bollywood villain references, subtle winks to classic thrillers, and even a cameo or two, adding wit for the cinephiles. But beyond these clever nods, the thriller element feels somewhat dulled. For a film categorized as a suspenseful prison escape drama, the unfolding events feel expected, lacking that edge-of-the-seat tension one might crave from a high-stakes plot. It’s the meticulous stunts and action sequences choreographed by Vikram Dahiya that keep things visually engaging, like Satya’s rooftop slide or the explosive escapes. The combat and physicality give us something thrilling to hold onto, but as the story falls into a predictable rhythm, it becomes difficult to ignore its loose ends and unanswered questions.
The cinematography by Swapnil S. Sonawane is undeniably a highlight, lending the island prison a gritty, almost tangible danger. The contrasts between lush greens and grim prison greys, coupled with pyrotechnics, do succeed in making Jigra a spectacle. Alia Bhatt’s performance truly shines here; she embraces Satya’s physical and emotional journey with intensity, portraying her character's fight against impossible odds with a mix of strength and vulnerability. Supporting actors like Manoj Pahwa, as a retired gangster seeking redemption, and Rahul Ravindran as an ex-cop, add depth to her mission. But despite strong performances, some characters feel underutilized.
A significant shortcoming is the script, which, while bursting with potential, becomes repetitive and sacrifices substance for style. The lack of logical progression in the storyline leaves viewers feeling as though they’ve been short-changed. Some of the logical loopholes and the lack of character depth hinder what could have been a more layered exploration of Satya’s determination. We’re left with lingering questions about plot details, ultimately detracting from the sense of satisfaction by the end.
Jigra does, however, leave an impression in its quieter moments. Satya’s struggle—whether she’s swaddled in the dawn’s blue-grey hue on a harbor bench or sharing a basketball moment with Ankur—encapsulates a beautiful sibling connection. It’s in these understated exchanges where we sense the film's intended emotional core, revealing glimpses of the story’s potential. Bala’s visual storytelling finds a balance here, yet one can't help but wish for a script that matches its cinematic ambition.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Comment List